Madeleine Kate McGowan - Bio
performing artist, filmmaker, director, researcher, singer, sound artist, choir facilitator, curator, writer.
I was born in a place I do not know. The first time we moved I was ten weeks old. My mother is Irish, my father is Danish. They met in Iraq in the 1970's. I grew up with forest fires and warm red soil in Benin, Africa. With cracked grey pavements, milk in glass bottles and endless aunties in Drogheda, Ireland. Ravaged fields, climbed trees and had sore bloody knees all over Denmark. Was a teenager in Italy. Now based in Copenhagen. I am part of a geo-social elite, with the privilege of hyper-mobility. These days I travel slowly. I have tried to use my privilege support the movement of stories and voices. I sense a new language. I am a part of a larger community of artists, who explore the possibilities of immersive performance. Becoming aware of how I listen – to places, other humans, and other species. As the way I choose to direct my listening changes everything.
Since 2010 I have been created large scale performance work, in collaboration with inter-disciplinary groups. Establishing and inspiring artistic communities, striving to explore together with those who inspire me.
My focus areas are the cultural and mental aspects of the climate crisis, immersive art, multi-species sensitivities, ecological place-making, art-based research, speculative storytelling and community work.
Presented work at ARoS, EU Commission, Yale School of Architecture, AA-London, Sort/Hvid, Pratt Institute NY, Danish House in Palestine, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Nivaagaards Malerisamling, Cph:Dox, Metropolis - Københavns Internationale Teater, Cph:Stage, British Film Institute, Thoravej 29.